This nerf is really disappointing. Another item sidelined to uselessness. LB was an interesting option that added another element to AP playstyle. Not only that, why is it that any discussion on a nerf coming into play can only be held on the PBE so only a select few players can take part? Why can't we have such a discussion on the general community so more voices can be heard???
I don't think its the tower siege they are worried about. Found this on reddit:
certainlyt 328 points 8 hours ago
This is close to correct. First, here is the present plan for Lichbane (obviously this could change): We are altering the item's proc from 50 (+0.75 AP) to 0.75 Base AD (+0.5 AP) Why are we are nerfing Lichbane? 1) We've always favored the Sheen line of items as sustained damage tools. They are designed to be used by casters who basic attack and basic attackers who cast and to be optimized by getting in a solid rhythm surrounding the 2 second internal cooldown. In the case of Lichbane, we've observed just the opposite: the item is being used mainly on champions that can secure a kill off one proc, meaning the gameplay of delaying a spell or trying to elongate combat to allow a second or third proc is not present. Without this, we aren't comfortable letting players access something so powerful without a high cooldown (such as that seen on DFG). 2) We've looked back at our balance changes over the past year or so and realized that we were continually having to nerf the damage output of Lichbane users due to their burst (TF/Fizz/Kayle/etc). These nerfs just deepened their dependence on the item. Eventually one of our QA analysts, RiotRepertoir (a Kayle main himself), got fed up with this pattern and set to work re-balancing Lichbane with the understanding that we would have to go back and add power into the kits of champion's we've toned down due to the item. The changes on the PBE reflect a first pass in that direction. We've intentionally left some non-core Lichbane users like Akali and Ziggs out of the present round of changes because we are not positive what she looks like with the new Lichbane. Where does this leave you all, the community of players, many of whom are Lichbane lovers? Well, we would like your feedback on both the changes to the item and to the champions we've identified as big losers due to the changes. If you have an account, feel free to hop on the PBE and play a few games with the item. If you don't, you are also welcome to stop by the PBE forums and offer feedback on Repertoir's direction for the item and the set of core Lichbane using champions as well.
Because the general community can only make conjectures about the actual effects of the change been implemented in the PBE.
I honestly think there nerfing lich bane cause of the ridiculous tower sieging late game ap champs get. Lux, Ziggs, Kayle and apparently shiphtur's ahri are a few champs that come to mind. I'd say thats the main reason for the nerf after what shiphtur did vs TSM. But i hope riot really looks at how many champions are gonna be unplayable with the nerd. The fix to this situation is so easy, all riot needs to do is make lich bane do 50% or 25% damage to turrets/nexus/inhibs, and maybe baron and drag. I really hope riot rethinks thinks this through. If they really think increaseing fizz and td's ratios by .1 or .2 is gonna help anything thats a joke. And don't even get me started with the diana passive buff. Outside of landing late game the passive is basically useless. Just hope riot sees this.
It's a good change imo, the power of the item is pretty silly if you think about it and they've made a commitment to rebuff champs who are dependent on the item which could lead to more diverse build possibilities.
I agree that there needs to be a place for non-PBE players to comment on changes. I get why it's setup as it is but it's really bad that we don't get a voice on things that don't need direct play (eg: VU's).
I think nerfing the dmg potential is pretty legit, as lategame lichbane can get pretty absurd, and complaining that it's abused for all in burst instead of sustained dps with a aa-skill-aa-skil rythem is also reasonable.
However, just lowering the dmg will just achive not much at all or nerf it into oblivion. If they want it to be an sustained dmg tool that focuses on aa+skill combos, they should give it aditional mechanics/stats to support that direction.
They could change the Blasting Wand for an Fiendish Codex and ad 20% cdr along with the spellblade nerf to support the dps carracter instead of burst
They could give u a small shield whenever u use the spellblade effeckt to give some aditional tankiness, as focusing on sustained fights usually means u will need some sustain/durabillity
whatever they do, along with the less scaling on the spellblade, it needs to recive some buff that makes it better for prolonged fights
